CoffeeSnobs - Brewing Equipment - Pointy End ($1500-$3000)http://coffeesnobs.com.au/
Pointy End ($1500-$3000) will find machines that are capable of making espresso at the same time that you are texturing milk. This end of the market also tends to get some real design flair and lot and lots of shiny stainless. Mostly the machines in this category are direct descendants of Cafe class machines.enTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:33:11 GMTvBulletin60http://coffeesnobs.com.au/images/misc/rss.pngCoffeeSnobs - Brewing Equipment - Pointy End ($1500-$3000)http://coffeesnobs.com.au/
sticky boiler fill valve - scale or some other cause?http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40676-sticky-boiler-fill-valve-scale-some-other-cause.html
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:18:54 GMTGday all
When I turn on my coffee machine (5 year old Isomac Mondiale) the pump kicks in to fill the boiler, but it seems like the valve is stuck as...

Gday all
When I turn on my coffee machine (5 year old Isomac Mondiale) the pump kicks in to fill the boiler, but it seems like the valve is stuck as the water is just cycling through back into the tank. If I leave it going it will usually kick in and fill the boiler after a while, maybe a minute or more. Rather than just leave it going, it usually kicks in a bit quicker if I turn it off and on a few times instead. The problem started after the machine sat without being used for a few weeks. Its back in daily use now.

My first thought was that maybe it was sticky from scale build up, although I don't know if they're susceptible to that. I've only ever done one descale about 3 years ago so I pulled out the mushroom to have a look.
There's very little scale on it, but a few lines here and there inside the group head. The gicleur screen thingo had some scale on it and was a bit stuck but not too bad.
From the look of the attached pics, is there any likelihood that scale could cause the valve issue? Is there any point in doing a descale? Or do I need to just buy a new valve? Or anything else to try?
Thanks
Geoff

Got a chance to stumble upon a listing for sale a La Pavoni Pub 1EL, Lever machine, water reservoir, home pluggable commercial machine. Does anyone here have any experience with it or similar La pavoni's lever machines? I am also able to get brand new Bezzera Stregas over here, is there much difference between these two?

]]>Brewing Equipment - Pointy End ($1500-$3000)Hidehttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40654-la-pavoni-pub-1el-recommended.htmlDual Boiler problem... and then a problem with return postagehttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40647-dual-boiler-problem-then-problem-return-postage.html
Fri, 27 Feb 2015 05:08:29 GMTHi All
I am currently having a drama post my dual boiler being serviced. It is little bit of a story as there are a few factors so if you have the...

Hi All

I am currently having a drama post my dual boiler being serviced. It is little bit of a story as there are a few factors so if you have the time I would appreciate your feedback.

As the issue is still ongoing I will leave out the make / model of dual boiler and the retailer. If things get nasty I will be happy to fill in the blanks at a later time.

So my dual boiler coffee machine had an problem with the steam wand, as the place of purchase retailer was interstate I took the machine to my local coffee machine technician. Upon inspection they insisted I make contact with the retailer about getting the machine looked at and fixed as a warranty job. At that point in time I had thought the warranty was 2 years.

A short video of the problem was sent to the retailer, they insisted I send it back to them for repair. So machine was boxed up, lodged with Auspost including insurance to cover $2000 on a Monday, machine received 5 days later on the Friday.

A few days later I was informed the water pump had failed and would not be covered under warranty, price to replace and conduct a minor machine checkup $220.

Actual fact was the water pump had failed due to corrosion as per the picture below, taken by my local technician.

The water used in the coffee machine has always been rain water or filtered water (sediment and carbon).

The question is was it fair for me have to pay for the repair on the water pump?

Anyway the story continues on from here and I thought the repair bill was a bitter pill to swallow...

The retailer informed me the machine would be sent out on the Friday, with a 5 day turn around I should see it the following Friday. Truth is the machine wasn't posted out until the Monday 2nd Feb so it was unlikely to receive it by the end of that week, a little annoyed.

This is where the story takes a turn... the retailer neglected to remove the old Auspost barcode even after a phone conversation with one of employees who insisted the old label was removed from when I had sent the machine to them. Because of this it was misdirected and reprocessed a number of times as per the screen shots of both the tracking numbers below.

Auspost barcode from when I originally sent machine to retailer

Their barcode when sent to return machine back to me

**sorry not sure how to edit size of the pictures**

So at this point in time on Friday 27/2/15 1300 (WST) I have been advised the machine will be delivered on Tuesday 3rd March (public holiday Monday). Three weeks from the retailer originally posting it! Whilst I might receive the machine what are the chances of damage, external or internal due to all the extra handling moving, loading, unloading in the last three weeks?

My wife and I enjoy our coffee, hence the purchase of 2 grand worth of equipment. As such to fulfil desire for a decent coffee it has been costing us an average of $10 a day for take away.

Do you think compensation for the inconvenience of an additional 2 weeks of waiting and wondering WTF is a fair ask? If so what would you be asking for?

I'm eyeing up the Lelit PLT60T, but have a couple of questions you might be able to help with:

Here in NZ, the two models available are the PL60T, and the PL60 PLUS T (the latter seems to be referred to in Australia as the "V2".

The PLUS model is NZD$200 more expensive. As far as I can tell, the differences are the 300ml vs 250ml boiler for brewing, and the 58mm group head instead of the 57mm.

Are these features worth the extra cost? (Will there be any noticeable difference to the end result?). I don't have any other equipment which I'd share baskets/handles/tampers with.

Secondly, how long can I expect such a machine to last (given proper care)? In my mind, the extra cost is worth it over say the Breville BES920, because the Lelit will last much longer.

Thanks for your help!

]]>Brewing Equipment - Pointy End ($1500-$3000)joefishhttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40639-lelit-pl60t-questions.htmlBezzera water problemshttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40629-bezzera-water-problems.html
Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:56:32 GMTHi all,
After your wonderful help with getting the shower screen off of my second hand BZ35 (badged as a Prof Express here in France) I now have...

Hi all,

After your wonderful help with getting the shower screen off of my second hand BZ35 (badged as a Prof Express here in France) I now have an issue with the pump (possibly)

It's always worked perfectly until recently when I noticed that when the machine was first switched on in the morning it seemed to take longer and longer to fill.

Earlier today when I was taking some hot water from the wand I got all of the green lights flashing at me.

The pump sounds as if it is working and I've had the back off where I can see the motor spinning but no water is getting through.

It's mains fed if that helps and I've checked that water supply for any faults.

Hey guys. I bought this machine used a few weeks ago and haven't been able to make a single cup of coffee. None of the buttons work, the boiler never seems to fill, I can't do anything with it.

I've used many different commercial and home espresso machines before. Anyone with a Minimax know what I'm doing wrong?

]]>Brewing Equipment - Pointy End ($1500-$3000)budandbeanshttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40513-vibiemme-minimax.htmlRocket Giotto V3 puddlehttp://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-pointy-end-1500-3000/40494-rocket-giotto-v3-puddle.html
Sat, 07 Feb 2015 09:23:02 GMTI have a strange intermittent leak which appears as a puddle (about 10 to 15 mls) on the back left of the unit. I can go 4 or 5 days or more and not...

I have a strange intermittent leak which appears as a puddle (about 10 to 15 mls) on the back left of the unit. I can go 4 or 5 days or more and not see it and sometimes it appears. I wipe it up and then the cycle continues. Well I'm not sure it is a cycle but is very intermittent. The only thing I can think of that happens before the puddle appears is when I fill up the water tank and even then it may not happen. I have removed the water tank for the odd clean but I don't think this has had any bearing. I know I should be asking Chris who I bought it off (before xmas) but I'm interested to hear if any others have seen this problem.

I'm hoping people may have some advice or thoughts on a recent problem I've experienced with my expobar elegance compact one group. It has been fully descaled approx 1 year ago and has run on mostly filtered water. Used lightly over that time. Run with no problems.

I went to use it about a week ago - pulled first shot fine. Second shot the volumetric dosing started to play up. I use the manual on off button when pulling shots. I pressed it and it ran for about 3 seconds before turning off. This continued to happen. Turned the machine off.

Returned later and turned it on. Ran as per normal for a few days before I turned it on in the morning and the volumetric dosing was not working at all. It doesn't look like the auto fill is clicking on now either (drained a bit of water through hot water tap and no refill).

Has to be either the volumetric dosing (brain box) or something to do with the flow meter, or maybe rotary pump?

Any thoughts or ideas on how to trouble shoot would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,
I’ve delved and delved through the forums, but thought I’d shout out for some advice.
I’m planning on spending $2000 on a machine + grinder, but my arm could probably be twisted a little higher. This is my first espresso machine purchase. I currently grimace through a nespresso capsule in the morning to get me started, but savour my aeropress black coffee during office hours.

Number 1 priority is quality of espresso. I drink more short blacks than milk drinks, so this is the biggest priority.
Number 2 priority is consistency and “first shot of the morning”. I’ve got two young kids, and I want to be able to very consistently make my morning shot without thinking about it. Later in the day, I’d love to “tinker” and make lovingly crafted “god shots”, but I also need to know I can make a good shot without fuss.
Number 3 is reliability. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia. There aren’t many good machines available here except at exorbitant prices, but I do have access to wonderful beans and great roasters. I can buy Lelit machines here, but I will be making a few trips to Australia in March and could also buy a machine then. What I have to do is hope it doesn’t break down as local servicing is difficult!

In order to get the consistency right, it looks like I have two options - focus on a machine with a PID, or else get one with a superior group like the E61.

For PID machines, it looks like Breville and Lelit might be best options. I have to admit, I love gadgets and tech and am looking at the Oracle fairly lustily, but I won’t be convinced until I actually try one. I hear a lot of complaints about reliability of Breville, but I have also seen them rate very highly on the choice.com.au reliability survey (which is, I think, more accurate, since most people don’t write to forums to say “it works fine”, only if they have a negative experience.)

As well as Breville and Lelit, there are some Italian machines that look attractive, perhaps a Nuovo Simonelli Oscar or a Vibiemme Picollo.
I haven’t narrowed down a grinder yet, but expect to spend about $400-$500 on it.